Water-measuring controller for mixers



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,603

E. H. LICHTENBERG WATER MEASURING CONTROLLER FOR MIXERS Filed Sept. 50, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 7 1G I Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,603

- E.- H. LICHTENBERG WATER MEASURING CONTROLLER FOR MIXERS Filed Sept. 30, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 15, 1927.

E. H. LICHTENBERG WATER MEASURING CONTROLLER FOR MIXERS Filed Sept. 30, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 The-power device 10 may be constructed in one of a number of difierent ways. In the present case I provide an operating shaft 11 having a gear 12 meshing with one of the ring gears 13 of the drum 2 and constantly driven during therotation of said drum. The shaft 11 has a worm 12 cooperating with a worm gear 13 provided with a worm 2 having a periphery of a special interrupted construction which is not a feature of the.

present invention; The gear 13 operates an arm 14 up and down when said gear 13 is caused to cooperate by a worm 12" with the trip 15. This up and down movement of the arm 14 is transmitted to the arm 8 and shifts the chute 5 to the non-discharging and discharging positions as required.

The water tank 3 is supplied with water under pressure by a main line supply pipe 16 and I provide Within the tank 3 a float control valve means seen in Figure 4, to maintain said water in the tank 3 at a' constant level. Water is adapted to be conducted through a pipe 17 to a valve casing 18, and therefrom through a pipe 19 to a batchmeter tank 20. The tank 20 has an opening in the upper end at 21 toreceive the pipe 19, and sufficiently largeso that the tank 20 may move vertically relatively to the pipe The batchmeter tank 20 is virtually a weighing tank and is mounted for vertical movement by being which attach it to the framework 1 of the machine, and by being supported by bar 22 the upper end of which is pivoted to the short lever arm of a weighing beam 23. The beam 23 is fulerumed to the frame 1 by means of a pivot shaft 24 fastened to the beam so asto turn as the beam rocks, and having the fixed arm 25 adapted to be rocked with the movement of the beam 23. The arm 25 is connected by a rod 26 to the trip 15 which controls the starting of the power device 10 which works the chute 5 on the scale beam 23 having the adjustable weight 27 adjustment of which controls the amount of water received and weighed by the tank 20.

At its lower end the tank 20 is provided .with an outflow port 28 disposed above the water dischargepipe 29 which leads from the said port to the mixing drum 2. The passage of the water from the tank 3 to the batchmeter tank 20 is controlled by any suitable n'ie'ans, thatillustrated for example be ing a valve 30 in the casing 18, adapted to seat itself on the valve seat 31 so as to close the upper end of the pipe 19. The valve 30 isconnected by an actuating rod 32 with a 33 secured to the tank 29, there be- 33 and an trip bar ing a spring 34 between said bur abutment on the rod 32.

For controlling the passage of water out of said tank 20 through its port 28, I prosupported by links 21 vide a swinging valve 36 having an arm 37 connected with adjustableirod means 38 that is provided at its lower end with an actuathook or abutment 39. The operating arm 37 for the valve'36 is carried by the swing shaft 40 of the valve and said shaft has secured to it a spring arm 41 adapted to. cooperate with a stationary arm 42 designed to close the valve 36 in a manner hereinafter described. The loading skip 4 carries at its pivotal support 43 an arm 44 fixed to said support which is a shaft, and

said arm 44 has a roller '45 to engage the abutment 39 on the lower end of the rod means 38 previously referred to.

At the free end of the weighing arm-of the scale beam of the lever 23 1S a catch 46 adapted to engage, when raised; with a latch 47 suitably supported on the framework of the machine. 'l.he latch 47 has-a weighted. arm 48 so that it normally tends to become engaged with the catch 46 by gravitation of the arm 48.. Moreover, the latch 47 is connected with a trip rod 49 having a cam 50 on its free end and a catch 51 adjacent to said cam. A roller 52 mounted on the side oflhc skip 4 is adapted to be engaged with the catch 51 of the trip rod 49 as will now shortly be described.

With the foregoing organization of the parts of my. machine I obtainthe following operation, describing a complete cycle of action of the parts. i

We shall assume for the moment that the batchmeter tank 20 is full, or rather contains a charge of water ready to be fed to the discharge pipe 29 so as to enter the drum 2. Under these conditions the weighing beam 23 and trip parts are in the full line position of FigureS, and the trip 15 has been previously operated to cause the power device 10 to throw the chute 5 to its discharging po ition, in which it inclines downwardly and outwardly, instead of as shown in Figure 1, drum being discharged.

It is assumed further that the skip 4 has been loaded with solid aggregates to be charged into the drum 2 with the aforesaid water. The valve 30 (see Fig. 2) is closed 1 down.

The operator of the machine now causes the skip 4 to rise and when said skip reaches a point about 20 above the sub-grade the roller 45 actuates the trip rod 38 and swings the valve 36 upward to open position. The water in the tank 20 immediately drains therefrom and is charged into the drum 2. The tank 20 however, still remains down at its lower limit of movement because the beam 23 is locked up at its left hand end by the latch 47 Meanwhile the skip 4 is rising and reaches its uppermost limit of movement at which it charges the solid aggregates therein, into the drum 2. Thereafter the skip 4 is lowered, but its roller 52 has llO previously engaged the catch 51 of the trip rod 49 and as the skip begins to go down it introduced. At this particular time of commencement of the mixin period' controlled by my invention, the discharging chute 5 and cooperating parts arein the posit ons of Figure 1 with the chute locked against discharging movement.

lVhen the tank 20 was raised by the weight 27 the valve 30 was unseated and water was immediately supplied to the tank 20 from the tank 3 and continues to pass into the tank 20 at a measured rate of flow which, for the purposes of this description, we will say requires one minute in which to charge the tank 20 with the required water for a batch of solid aggregates to be mixed in the drum 2. When the said minute has elapsed the tank 20 promptly overbalances the weight 27, and said tank is lowered by rocking the beam 23 and raising the weight 27, said beam 23 again becoming locked up by the latch 47 |The lowering of the tank 20 denotes the end of the mixing period required for the proper mixing of the aggregates and the rocking of the beam 23 as stated rocks the arm 25 at the fulcrum of the beam, which arm 25 pulls on the trip rod 26 and actuates the trip 15 to start the power device 10 into action, which power device moves the chute 5 down into its discharging position, thereupon the contents of the drum 2 are discharged automatically at the lapse of the time fixed as the mixing period.

It is to be noted that when "the scale beam 23 was released from the latch 47 permitting the weight 27 to drop. and raising the tank 20, the spring arm 41 struck the abutment arm 42 and caused the swing valve 36 to close the outflow port at the lower'end of the tank. This is necessary because otherwise, the tank 20 could not be filled.

The trip rod 26 controlling the power device 10 likewise controls an arm 54 to actuate a bell tapper 55 cooperating with the signal bell or indicator 56 so that as the tank 20 moves down. determining the end of the mixing period the arm 5-4 will move the tapper 55 and ring the bell 56 so as to notify the operator of the machinethat the batch is ready to be discharged. This method of signailing may be used as an independent means by itself to notify the operator of the machine at the end of the mixing period so that he may actuatethe operating means for the discharging chute 5'and discharge .the drum 2. Or the signel 56 maybe used in conjunction with the power operating device 10 previously described.

It is evident from the foregoing that where the flow of the tank 3 to the tank 20 is con= stant the time when the tank 20 moves to control the batchmeter functions thereof, may be varied to slightly increase or shorten the time of the mixin period, by adjustment of the weight 27. 6r I may provide in the length of the pipe 17 a flow controller in the form of a valve device 57 having an associated. indicator 58 and indicating dial 59. By adjusting the valve 57 the flow of the water through the pipe 17 to the tank 20 may i be increased or decreased and the time factor incident to the filling of the tank 20 with the proper charge of the water may be thus controlled. Moreover, the indicator 58 may be locked against movement so that there can be no tampering with this time factor control under which conditions unauthorized lowering of the mixin eriod cannot be done. Naturally, it mig t e an objective of the user of the mixing machine to :work the machine faster than permissible for effective mixing, and this is prevented bythe protective features of my mechanism just described.

The discharging chute 5 may be raised to non-discharging position by action of the trip 15 cooperating with the power device 10 to start the latter into operation, when the scale beam is released as the skip 4 moves downwardly. trip 15 would be double acting.

It is noted that the connection 38 involves a coiled spring element 60 at the upper end intermediate the rod 38 and the valve closing member 37. Under these conditions therefore while the action of the spring 60 is suflicient to enable the members 45 and 38 to open the valve 36 at the proper time, when the tank 20 is raised and the valve 30 opened, the'spring 60 will not offer much resistance to the closing movement of the valve 36 un der the action of the closing spring cam member 41.

The means 10 referred to herein for actuating the discharge chute 5 is a type of known means set forth in U. S. patent of Webb, No. 1,628,378, issued May 10, 1927.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, a concrete mixer, water supply means therefore, and water measuring means for timing the period of mixing of aggregates in the mixer said measuring means communicating with the water gupply means and controlling the flow thererom.

Under these conditions the 2. In combination, a concrete mixer,

ing the quantity of water to be introduced into the mixer with each batch of solid aggregates, and constituting a batchmeter controlling the period of mixing of the batch in the mixer. I f v 3. In combination, a 'concrete mixer, Water measuring mechanism for determining the quantity of Water to be introduced. into the mixer with each batchof solid aggregates, a mixing time period indicator, and means intermediate the measuring meehanism and indicator to operate the lat-ter from the former.

,4. In combination, a concrete mixer, water measuring mechanism tor determining the quantity of water to be introduced into the mixer with each batch of solid aggregates comprising a tank, and a mixer discharger operated under the control of movement of the tank.

5. In combination, a concrete mixer, water weighing means to supply water to the mixer, mixer charging means, and automatically operating devices between the Weighing and charging means so one is controlled from the other.

6. In combination, a concrete mixer, Water weighing means to supply water to the mixer, mixer charging means, and automatically operating devices between the weighing and charging means so one is controlled from the other and a timer indicator for the mixing period of action of the mixer controlled from said weighing means.

7. In combination, a concrete mixer, Water measuring means to supply water to the mixer, mixer charging means, and automatically operating devices between the measuring and charging means so one is controlled from the other and a timer indicator for the mixing period of action of the mixer controlled from said measuring means.

8. In combination, a concrete mixer, Water weighing means to supply water to the mixer, mixer charging means and a mixing period controller mechanism operable from the weighing means.

9. In combination, a concrete mixer, a water supply, awater measuring tank, valve means controlling passage of Water from the supply to the tank, and from the tank to the mixer, and a mixing period time controlled mechanism operable incident to action of the valve means controlling passage of Water from the tank to the mixer.

10. In combination, a concrete mixer, discharge means therefor, Water supply means for the mixer, and means to effect operation of the discharge means from the water supply means.

11. In combination, a concrete mixer having discharge means therefor, Water supply means'for the mixer acting as a batchmeter,

and means to start the discharge means operation controlled from the Water supply means.

12. In combination, a concrete mixer, discharge means therefor, Water supply means for the mixer, acting as a batchmeter, and means to control the operation of the discharge means from the water supply means, and means to vary the flow of the Water to said supply means to correspondingly vary the time of operation of the discharge means.

13. In combination, a concrete mixer, discharge means therefor, water supply means for the mixer, and means to control the operation of the discharge means from the water supply means, and a charging device controlling operation. of the water supply means. I

14. In combination, a concrete mixer, discharge means therefor, water supply means for the mixer, means to start the discharge means operating controlled from the Water supply means, a device to charge solid aggregates into the mixer, and means to control the return of the water supply means. and thereby the discharge means, between the charging device and Water supply means.

15. In combination, a concrete mixer, Water charging means acting as a batchmeter therefor, and means for timing the period of mixing of aggregates in the mixer from said water chargingmeans.

16. In combination, a concrete mixer, wa-

ter charging means therefor, means for timing the period of mixing of aggregates in the mixer by the quantity of water handled by said water charging means, and means to vary the fiow of Water from the water supply means to the charging means, to vary the timing action of the last means. 17. In combination, a concrete mixer. water measuring mechanism for determining the quantity of water to be introduced into the mixer with each batch of solid aggregates, and a mixer diseharger operated under the control of the water handled by said measuring mechanism, and a charging skip for controlling the operation of the measuring mechanism.

18. In combination, a concrete mixer, rater charging means therefor, comprising a movable water tank, and means actuated by vmovement of said tank for governing the time of the effective mixing period of concrete in the mixer.

19. In combination, a concrete mixer, avater charging means therefor, comprising a movable Water tank, means actuated by movement of said tank for governing the time of the etfective mixing period of concrete in the mixer, comprising a mixer discharge, and parts operated from the tank to set said discharge into action.

20. In combination, a concrete mixer, Water charging means therefor, comprising a movable water tank, means actuated by movement of said tank for governing the time of the effective mixing period of concrete in the mixer, and a solid aggregates charger controlling certain movement of the tank.

21. In combination. a concrete mixer, Water charging means therefor, comprising'a movable water tank, means actuated by movement of said tank for governing the time of the effective mixing period of concrete in the mixer, and a solid aggregates charger adapted to empty the'tank, with antomatic means to close the emptying part of the tank.

22. In combination, a concrete mixer, water charging means therefor, comprising a movable water tank, means actuated by movement of said tank to governing the time of the effective mixing period of concrete in the mixer, a solid aggregates charger adapted to empty the tank, with automatic means to close the emptying part of the tank, and weight means to raise the tank after emptying. with means to supply a fresh charge of water to the tank when raised.

23. In combination, a concrete mixer, water charging means therefor, comprising a movable water tank, a valve to empty thetank, a Valve to supply water to the tank, a charging device to open the first valve, and a means to open the second valve on movement of the tank.

24. In combination, a concrete mixer, water charging means therefor, comprising a movable water tank, a valve to empty the tank, a valve to supply water to the tank, a charging device to open the firstvalve, a means to open the second valve on movement of the tank, and a mixing period time controlled device operable from the tank.

25. In combination, a concrete mixer, a water tank arranged to supply water to said mixer, means movably supporting said water tank, a discharge chute for the mixer, means for operating said discharge chute, and means operated bymovement of said water tank to cause the operatingmeans for the discharge chute to go into action.

26. In combination, a concrete mixer, a water tank adapted to receive a predetermined quantity of water, discharge means for the mixer, means to control said discharging means to prevent it from operating until a predetermined mixing time has elapsed which time corresponds with the predetermined time in which the water tank will be filled for dispensing water to the mixer. and means intermediate'the water tank and the means which controls the discharging means whereby the movement of the saidtank will govern the action of the latter.

27. In combination, a concrete mixer a discharge therefor, means to charge SOlld aggregates into the mixer, a water tank arranged to supply water to the mixer, means supporting and water tank so that it will move when a predetermined quantity of water has been received thereby 1n a predetermined time and means adapted to be actuated after the predetermined time required for filling said tank to set into action the discharge means for mixer, whereby the tank acts as a batchmeter.

28. In combination, a concrete mixer, solid aggregates charging means for the mixer, means whereby the mixer may be discharged, and a water tank for supplying water to the mixer and constituting a batchmeter controlling the discharge means.

29. In combination, a concrete mixer, means for discharging the same, a movably supported water tank, water supply means for the tank adapted to supply a predetermined quantity thereto to cause movement of the tank, means operated from the tank for cuttingoflt' the supply of water thereto, solid aggregates charging means for the mixer, means for connecting the last means with the water tank to cause the water to pass from the latter to themixer, and means for causing the water tank to automatically cause commencement of flow of water thereto. after it has been emptied.

30. Incombination, a concrete mixer, discharging means therefor, solid aggregates charging means for the mixer. a water tank to supply the mixer, means for supplying water to said water tank and causing it to move after a predetermined charge of water is received thereby, means for setting the discharging means of the mixer into action as an incident to the movement of said tank, and means for opening the tank to supply its water to the mixer operable by the solid aggregates charging means, together with normalizing means for the various parts.

31. In combination, a concrete mixer, means for discharging the said mixer, a water tank, Water supply means for said tank, scale-beam and weight means for governing the amount. of water which Wlll be received by the tank for a charge of water for the mixer and operable by the tank, valve means to cut oil the supply of water to the tank as an incident to said scale-beam and weight means, a solid aggregates charging skip for the mixer and means intermediate the water tank and said skip for causing flow of the contents of the tank to the mixer at a certain point in the movement of the skip.

32. In combination, a concrete mixer, a

water tank to supply water thereto and having a valve, controlling passage of the water to the mixer, a char m'ng skip for the mixer to load solid aggregates thereinto, an operating rod connected with said valve, means on the charging skip arranged to engage and actuate said rod at the beginning of movemg rod connected with said valve, means on 1 the charging skip arranged to engage and actuate said rod at the beginning of movement of the skip to cause flow of vvater from the tank'to the mixer substantially through- \out the movement of the skip, and means controlling refilling of the tank when emptied, and a resilient means intermediate said rod and said valve substantially as described.

34. In combination, a' concrete mixer, a water tank to supply water thereto and having a valve, controlling passage of the Water to the mixer, a charging skip for the mixer to load solid aggregates thereinto,

an operating rod connected with said valve,

means on the charging skip arranged to engage and actuate said rod at the beginning of movement of the skip to cause flow of Water from the tank'to the mixer substantially throughout the movement of the skip,

and means controlling refilling of the tank when emptied, means movably supporting the water tank comprising counterbalance Weight device, a discharge for the mixer, means for controlling said discharge 0-perated incident to movement of the Water tank, together with resetting'means permitting the water tank to be refilled and 0perated from the loading skip.

35. In combination, a concrete mixer, water chargingmeans for timing the period of mixing of aggregates in the mixer, a source of Water supply communicating with said charging means, and means intermediate the charging means and said source for regulating the water flow to the chargmg means.

36. In combination, a concrete mixer,.

water charging means for timing the period of mixing of aggregates in the mixer, a .water supply source communicating with said charging means, and valve means intermediate the charging means and said source for regulating the rate of flow of Water to the charging means to predetermine theperiod of'mix of the aggregates.

37. In combination, water measuring means for timing the period of mixing of aggregates in the mixer, a water supply source communicating therewith, and valve means intermediate the measuring means and said source operable by the measuring means to cut off the flow of the water from the latter after a predetermined period of mix.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ERICH H. LICHTENBERG.

a concrete mixer, 

